In the year 1600, a foreign ship foundered on the coast of Bungo (present-day Oita Prefecture). This was “De Liefde," and its arrival marked the beginning of a long history of exchange between the Netherlands and Japan.

In 1609, the Dutch, who had received word from Adams, sent two ships to Japan and received permission to establish a factory (trading post) in Hirado.

In 1641, however, the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C) moved its factory to Deshima.